A wanted man and woman are accused of running from police Wednesday afternoon in Columbus, leading to more charges against them.

Columbus officers report that they noticed 35 year old Natosha E. Burton and 42-year-old Justin S. Sholty near 10th and Sycamore streets at just before 5 yesterday. Recognizing they were both wanted on warrants, police approached and the two ran down a nearby alley.

Despite splitting up, the two were arrested by officers. A search of Sholty’s backpack allegedly revealed heroin, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Burton is facing charges of resisting law enforcement in addition to three outstanding local warrants. Sholty was arrested on two outstanding warrants and resisting law enforcement, in addition to charges of possession of heroin, methamphetamine, a legend drug, a look-alike substance, a controlled substance, and a syringe.
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The Columbus City Council gave final approval to an ordinance targeting the former site of the St. Bartholomew Catholic Church and surrounding area as an economic development target area. The site, in the 700 block of Sycamore, had been targeted for affordable-housing units on at least two occasions. However, developers were unable to obtain the state tax credits necessary to make the projects financially feasible.

Rubicon Development Group is planning a nearly $9.3 million investment to renovate the church building and develop apartments and townhomes. Developers say approximately 60 market-based rate apartment units are expected to be developed, along with six townhomes for purchase. During Tuesday evening’s council meeting, Rubicon officials suggested rent prices would range from $950 to $1,350 per month. Townhome sale prices are expected to be in the $250,000-$300,000 range.

Council also approved a 10-year tax abatement for the development, expected to save the company around $1.7 million over that period. Even with the abatement, the site is still expected to generate nearly $1.8 million in tax revenue for the city over the next 10 years. Rubicon says that tax savings from the abatement will be passed on to those who purchase townehomes, as the abatements are transferable. Robin Hilber with the city’s office of redevelopment noted that these abatements can be used strategically to encourage home-ownership in targeted areas.

A Jennings County elementary school was successful at the 2019 National Archery in the Schools Program Eastern Nationals held in Louisville. More than 15,000 students participated during the event, held May 9-11.

Hayden Elementary School won the Elementary School Division, shooting 3,229 out the possible 3,600. Each of the students on the Hayden team will receive a $500 scholarship.

NASP is a joint venture between school corporations throughout Indiana and the Department of Natural Resources. The program provides international target archery training in Indiana’s physical education classes, as well as other classes for grades 4-12.

Local students who posted top five finishes in Louisville include:
– Elementary Bullseye: 3rd Place Elementary School Female, Brooke Nolan, Hayden Elementary
– 4th Place Middle School Male – 2-Way Tie, Aron Spencer, Jennings County Middle School

A local man was arrested Tuesday night after officers reported finding components of a methamphetamine lab in his vehicle after he attempted to evade arrest.

Columbus Police say that at approximately 11:40 p.m., an officer attempted to stop a vehicle that was speeding down an alley near 11th Street and Washington Street. Police say the driver, Ryan S. Harden, 37, of Columbus, refused to pull over. The officer followed Harden’s vehicle until it came to a stop in the 600 block of Eighth Street. Harden was taken into custody at gunpoint and officers later reported finding several components of a meth lab inside his vehicle.

Harden was booked in the Bartholomew County Jail on a 48 hour hold on preliminary charges of:
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle
Reckless Driving
Possession of Meth Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture

A consulting company hired to help Columbus establish quiet zones for trains traveling through downtown is proposing nearly $1.8 million in upgrades at four railroad crossings.

Tim Oster of CTC, Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas, presented options for the railroad crossings at State Road 46, Fifth Street, Eighth Street and Eleventh Street during the this week’s meeting of the Columbus Redevelopment Commission. City officials have been working on a plan to establish the zones in an effort to reduce noise. Due to safety concerns, these crossings will need additional safety measures installed for that to happen. These include things like four-quadrant gate system, medians and escape gates. Oster stressed that establishing quiet zones will not completely eliminate train horns through the city, but it should help considerably.

The redevelopment commission did not taken any action during this week’s meeting.

If implemented, Oster said the quiet zones could be finished in 18 to 24 months.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers has been named to the National Sheriffs’ Association Homeland Security Committee.

“As such Sheriff Myers will be networking closely through the NSA with the other 3,100 elected Sheriffs across America, bringing a professional “Heartland” perspective to this vast responsibility of keeping our Counties, States and Nations safe,” said National Sheriffs’ Association president John Layton.

The National Sheriffs’ Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the law enforcement field. NSA is a key player in shaping national policy on critical criminal justice and homeland security issues important to the nation’s sheriffs, deputies and police in the halls of Congress, U.S. Courts and at the White House.

NSA is led by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors comprised of members of NSA who are currently holding the elected position of Office of Sheriff.

Stephen P. Luce, Executive Director of the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, said “It is an honor to know that the National Sheriffs’ Association has appointed Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers to the NSA Homeland Security Committee. Sheriff Myers appointment will continue the strong presence that ISA and Indiana Sheriffs have with the NSA. Sheriff Myers dedication and knowledge in Public Safety over the years allows him to be a perfect fit for the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Homeland Security Committee.

“I look forward to serving on NSA’s Homeland Security Committee. It is a true honor to be able to serve on such an important committee with Sheriffs’ from across our Nation,” said Sheriff Myers. He added, “I look forward to hearing their unique perspectives and the strategic advice that will be provided by the NSA HSC members.”

Columbus police officers arrested a local man early Tuesday morning after he allegedly punched an officer in the face in an effort to get away. Authorities say that at approximately 2:30 a.m., an officer stopped Steven J. Richcreek, 27, of Columbus, for riding a bicycle without proper lighting on Indiana Avenue near South Beatty Street.

After the officer confirmed that Richcreek was wanted on two local warrants, he attempted to take him into custody. During the scuffle, Richcreek reportedly punched the officer in the face and attempted to flee on foot. The officer chased after Richcreek and tackled him to the ground a short time later. After Richcreek was handcuffed, the officer reported finding synthetic marijuana in Richcreek’s clothing.

In addition to the warrants, Richcreek is facing new preliminary charges of:
Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
Possession of a Look-a-Like Drug (Class A Misdemeanor)
Battery on a Police Officer (Level 6 Felony)

GILLIG LLC, the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in the United States, joined Cummins on Tuesday in announcing that the GILLIG zero-emission battery electric bus, powered by Cummins, is now available.

Company officials say the zero-emission battery electric bus incorporates the Cummins electrified powertrain, which features remote diagnostics and over-the-air connectivity. The bus initially incorporates the standard 444 kWh battery capacity and supports charging interoperability via industry standards.

“Cummins is incredibly proud to bring a best-in-class fully electric bus solution to market with GILLIG,” said Julie Furber, Vice President-Electrified Power, Cummins. “Our Battery Electric System is another example of Cummins unrelenting commitment to quality, dependable products. We’re deeply committed to understanding our customers and their unique needs and providing market-leading solutions that enable their success.”

In the run-up to Sunday’s Indianapolis 500, representatives from Cummins, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will unveil the five fully restored historic Cummins-powered cars in the same location for the first time. This event is set for Wednesday, May 22, at 10 a.m. outside of the museum.

To commemorate Cummins’ 100th anniversary, the cars will participate in the vintage parade lap just prior to the green flag dropping at this year’s race. Company officials say this is the first time that all five cars will appear in public at the same location.

Veteran IndyCar drivers will pilot several of the cars Sunday. Their names will be revealed during Wednesday’s event.

Cummins released the following information about each car:

1931 Cummins Diesel No. 8 car
The 1931 car featured a 4-cylinder diesel engine and was the first ever race car to finish the 500-mile race without stopping. The car qualified in the 17th position at 96.87 miles per hour. The car, originally driven by Dave Evans, finished the race in 13th place.

1934 Cummins Diesel No. 5 car
The 1934 No. 5 car featured a new technology, a two-stroke Model H supercharged diesel engine. The car qualified in the 29th position, completed all 500 miles, and finished in 12th place. Although the No. 5 completed the race, Cummins founder, Clessie Cummins, decided not to continue manufacturing the two-stroke Model H, as it was not dependable (the engine seized at the end of the race and would not restart). This car was originally driven by Stubby Stubblefield.

1934 Cummins Diesel No. 6 car
The 1934 No. 6 car, originally driven by Dave Evans, was powered by a four-stroke Model H engine. The car qualified in the 22nd position with a speed of 102.2 miles per hour and was only a couple of seconds off the pace of the leaders, however, the car only finished 270 miles and finished 19th.

1950 Cummins Diesel Special (Green Hornet) No. 61 car
To promote the release of a new technology, a six-cylinder, two valve truck engine (JBS-600), the 1950 No. 61 car was powered by a modified version of the new engine and was the first racing car in history to use disc brakes. The car, originally driven by Jimmy Jackson, was dubbed the Green Hornet and qualified in the 32nd position, with a speed of 129.9 miles per hour, and finished the race in 29th.

1952 Cummins Diesel Special No. 28
The 1952 Cummins Diesel Special No. 28, originally driven by Freddy Agabashian, proved the durability, power and technology of diesel engines. The No. 28 was the first turbocharged car to race at the Indy 500, and won the pole position with an average speed of 138 miles per hour and a top speed of 139.1 miles per hour. The No. 28 finished 27th due to debris on the track, however, its dominance prompted new rules for diesel engines competing in the Indy 500. This was the last Indianapolis 500 where Cummins competed with an engine of their own.

Four people were arrested today as part of an ongoing Jennings County investigation into drugs in the community.

The North Vernon Police, Jennings County deputies and the Indiana Counterdrug Task Force served a search warrant at a property near County Road 450S and South Highway 7, entering three buildings simultaneously. Officers recovered about 5 grams of heroin, some narcotics in pill form, and drug paraphernalia.

They arrested 23-year-old Danielle Malcomb, of North Vernon; 37-year-old Richard Woodward, of Deputy; 28-year-old Codi Brashear, of Butlerville; and 29-year-old Charles Perry of North Vernon.

All are facing charges for possessing a narcotics drug, syringes and drug paraphernalia. Perry is also being accused of maintaining a common nuisance, while Woodward is accused of visiting a common nuisance.